What is a chest x-ray?

In medicine, a chest X-ray (CXR), is a picture(projection radiograph) of the chest used to diagnose conditions affecting the chest, its contents, and nearby structures. It is created by a small outputs of radiation passing through a Patient’s body. It is then recorded on film. Chest radiographs are among the most common films taken, being diagnostic of many conditions.

• Purpose
• What is done?
• What can be diagnosed?
• How long before the results are back?

Purpose

Chest X-rays are invaluable diagnostic tools in Intensive Care and they are used to diagnose many conditions involving the chest wall, bones of the thorax, and structures contained within the thoracic cavity including the lungs, heart, and great vessels. Pneumonia and congestive Heart Failure are very commonly diagnosed by chest x-ray.

Daily or second daily Chest x-rays in Intensive Care are used as a method of monitoring the progress of your loved one, especially if your loved one requires ventilation via Non- Invasive Ventilation(NIV) or BIPAP ventilation or if your loved one requires a Breathing Tube (endotracheal tube) and mechanical ventilation on Ventilators (Breathing Machines)

A chest x-ray will also be performed after procedures such as insertion of a central line (CVC, Central Venous Lines) or a Breathing Tube or Endotracheal Tube, an intercostal catheter (ICC) or insertion of  Nasogastric Tubes.

What can be diagnosed?

A chest x-ray can detect:

• Airway enlargement
• Breast shadows
• Bones, e.g. rib fractures
• Cardiac enlargement and changes in the size and shape of the heart
• Pleural effusions
• Diaphragm, e.g. evidence of free air, indicative of perforation
• Pneumothorax, fibrosis, pleural thickening or plaques
• Extrathoracic tissues
• lung parenchyma being evidence of alveolar filling
• Abnormalities in the major blood vessels such as the Aorta;
• Fluid collection in the lungs caused by heart failure (pulmonary oedema)
• Collapse of the lungs
• Pneumonia

What is done?

Intensive care Patients are having their chest x-ray taken in their bed. The X-ray technician uses a portable machine and takes the x-ray with the ICU nurse supervising. The patient is sat as upright as possible and the x-ray plate is placed behind them. Some Patients are too unstable to sit upright, the chest x-ray then is taken whilst the Patient is lying flat or in a supine position. If Patients are awake they will be asked to hold their breath. When taking a CXR for the ventilated Patient the technician will take the x-ray, timing with the ventilator.

What are the risks?

As there is only a small amount of radiation used, exposure to radiation in minimal. Your loved one may be uncomfortable for a few minutes, whilst the radiographer and the nurse put your loved one in the ‘right’ chest x-ray position. If your loved one is going to have a large number of x-rays or is pregnant small lead barriers will be used to protect your loved one. You may hear the X-ray technician say “x-ray”. This is to alert the staff in ICU that an x ray is being taken.

How long before the results are back?

Usually chest x-ray results are back within minutes. Most chest x-rays now can be seen online within minutes and the doctor in charge of your loved one will have a look. Furthermore, a formal report of a radiologist will be made available within 12-24 hours.

 

More Internet Information is available at:

• Radiography (X-ray) – Chest

Any Questions?

Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, please discuss them with the ICU nurses and doctors.

All Intensive Care interventions and procedures carry a degree of potential risk even when performed by skilled and experienced staff. Please discuss these issues with the medical and nursing staff who are caring for your loved one.

The information contained on this page is general in nature and therefore cannot reflect individual patient variation. It is meant as a back up to specific information which will be discussed with you by the Doctors and Nurses caring for your loved one. INTENSIVE CARE HOTLINE attests to the accuracy of the information contained here BUT takes no responsibility for how it may apply to an individual patient. Please refer to the full disclaimer.

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